Morales (Thomas) v. State

statutory provisions relating to a notice of appeal. Appellant's petition was required to be filed within one year from either entry of the judgment of conviction or issuance of the remittitur from a timely direct appeal. See NRS 34.726(1). Appellant next claimed that he had cause for the delay because his appellate counsel failed to provide him a copy of the order resolving his appeal and never informed him of the procedural rules for a post-conviction petition for a writ of habeas corpus. We conclude that the district court did not err in rejecting this good cause argument. Appellant was aware of the resolution of his direct appeal when on August 24, 2010, he received a letter from appellate counsel referencing the issuance of the remittitur in his direct appeal. Appellant failed to demonstrate that an impediment external to the defense prevented him from filing a timely petition. See Hathaway v. State, 119 Nev. 248, 252, 71 P.3d 503, 506 (2003). Former appellate counsel did not have a constitutional duty to inform appellant about the availability of post-conviction remedies. See id. (recognizing that good cause must be a legal excuse); see also Miranda v. Castro, 292 F.3d 1063, 1066-68 (9th Cir. 2002) (holding that equitable tolling was not warranted where a petitioner relied on incorrect advice of former counsel because petitioner had no right to the assistance of counsel regarding post-conviction relief); Pena v. U.S., 534 F.3d 92, 95-96 (2d Cir. 2008) (holding that the right to the effective assistance of counsel in a first-tier appeal does not encompass a requirement that an attorney inform his client of the possibility of certiorari review or that the attorney assist the client in preparing such a petition); Moore v. Cockrell, 313 F.3d 880, 882 (5th Cir. 2002) (holding that the right to counsel ends when the decision by the appellate court is entered). Therefore, we conclude that SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA 2 (0) 1947A 474/0/A the district court did not err in determining the petition was procedurally barred and without good cause. Accordingly, we ORDER the judgment of the district court AFFIRMED. GibboiTs J. Pickering Saitta cc: Hon. Michelle Leavitt, District Judge Thomas Morales Attorney General/Carson City Clark County District Attorney Eighth District Court Clerk SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA 3 (01 1947",